February 14 in History: Famous Births, Events, and Deaths

February 14 is widely recognized around the world as Valentine’s Day, a celebration of love and affection that dates back to ancient Roman traditions honoring Saint Valentine. Beyond romance, this day has witnessed several major historical events, including political treaties, scientific breakthroughs, and cultural milestones. Many notable figures in art, science, and politics were also born or passed away on this date, making it a day rich in history and remembrance.

Famous People Born on February 14

1766 Thomas Malthus: English economist and demographer known for his theory on population growth.

1817 Frederick Douglass: American social reformer, abolitionist, and writer.

1894 Jack Benny: American comedian and actor, famous for “The Jack Benny Program.”

1913 Jimmy Hoffa: American labor union leader and president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

1927 Lois Maxwell: Canadian actress best known as Miss Moneypenny in the early James Bond films.

1948 Teller: American magician and entertainer, part of the duo “Penn & Teller.”

1952 Sushma Swaraj: Indian politician and former Minister of External Affairs.

1967 Manuela Di Centa: Italian cross-country skier and Olympic gold medalist.

1972 Rob Thomas: American singer and songwriter, lead vocalist of Matchbox Twenty.

1978 Danai Gurira: Zimbabwean-American actress and playwright, known for “The Walking Dead” and “Black Panther.”

1983 Bacary Sagna: French professional footballer who played for Arsenal and Manchester City.

1987 Edinson Cavani: Uruguayan footballer, known for his goal-scoring prowess with PSG and Uruguay.

1989 Tiffany Thornton: American actress and singer known for Disney Channel’s “Sonny with a Chance.”

1992 Freddie Highmore: English actor known for “Finding Neverland” and “The Good Doctor.”

Famous Events on February 14

1779: British explorer Captain James Cook was killed by natives in Hawaii during his third exploratory voyage in the Pacific.

1803: Chief Justice John Marshall declared that Marbury v. Madison could not proceed, paving the way for judicial review in the U.S.

1876: Alexander Graham Bell applied for a patent for the telephone on the same day as Elisha Gray, leading to a historic invention dispute.

1899: The U.S. Congress approved the use of voting machines in federal elections for the first time.

1912: Arizona was admitted as the 48th state of the United States.

1929: The infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre took place in Chicago, where seven gangsters of Bugs Moran’s gang were killed by Al Capone’s men.

1946: The world’s first general-purpose electronic computer, ENIAC, was unveiled at the University of Pennsylvania.

1961: American figure skaters were killed in a plane crash en route to the World Championships in Brussels, Belgium.

1971: Richard Nixon installed a secret taping system in the White House, later used as evidence during the Watergate scandal.

1989: The first of 24 satellites of the Global Positioning System (GPS) was placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense.

2005: YouTube was founded by former PayPal employees Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim.

2011: Bahrain’s “Day of Rage” began, marking the start of mass protests during the Arab Spring movement.

2019: A terrorist attack in Pulwama, India, killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel, escalating tensions with Pakistan.

Famous People Who Died on February 14

1400 Richard II: Deposed King of England known for his lavish rule and dramatic downfall.

1779 James Cook: British explorer and navigator killed in Hawaii during his third Pacific voyage.

1891 William Tecumseh Sherman: American Civil War general best known for his “March to the Sea.”

1903 Theodor Mommsen: German historian and Nobel Prize laureate in Literature (1902).

1915 Booker T. Washington: Influential African American educator and founder of Tuskegee Institute.

1943 David Hilbert: German mathematician known for Hilbert space and contributions to mathematical logic.

1987 Carl Rogers: American psychologist and founder of the humanistic approach to psychology.

2003 Dolly the Sheep: The first cloned mammal from an adult cell, euthanized due to lung disease.

2014 Sid Caesar: American comedian and television pioneer of the 1950s comedy series “Your Show of Shows.”

2018 Morgan Tsvangirai: Zimbabwean opposition leader and former Prime Minister.

February 14 is a date marked by love, history, and remembrance. While it is celebrated worldwide as Valentine’s Day—a time for expressing affection and appreciation—it also carries deep historical significance. From major scientific breakthroughs and statehood milestones to the lives and legacies of remarkable individuals, February 14 stands as a day that blends romance with rich moments in world history. It continues to remind us of humanity’s enduring capacity for love, discovery, and change.